Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1887-01-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WARRINGTON, Dec. 4, 1886.

WARRINGTON, Dec. 4, 1886.
Since | last wrote you congress met, and
amid its usual cordial greetings and floral
tributes, read the presidents message and
went to work. On opening day large
crowds Of people, not deferred by unpro-
pitious weather, filled the galleries and
looked down with interest and amusement
upon the scenes enacted OF the floor. In
the house for an hour before the gavel
fell, groups of members crowded the cloak
rooms, blockaded the a%isles, chatted,
laughed, exchanged congratulations on
success in the recent elections on condo
lences upon defeat. Nictors twited the
vanquished, and defeated members jok-
ingly commiserated with victors upon their
failure to throw off the burden of public
life.
The senate. which is never given to
demonstration under any circumstances,
met quietly and shook hands as if only
separated yesterday, instead OF -four months
ago. But these scenes and happenings are
now things of the past and | will not dwell
upon them.
AS the presidents message which sena-
tors and members refrained from com
menting upon until after they had read it
themselves, there are various opinions.
The republicans are disposed to c~riticise
its length and some Of them ccuse MI.
Tiaua1a,d to haya cacrIioaI copcicapacs ia
Il desire to please conflicting elements of
his party. Their criticism is not more Sc
we're however, than opposing political sen
timent is usually regarded as calling for.
The democrats are disposed to praise the
document with the exception of that part
relating to silver, which creates some di-
versity of comment. The tariff r%eforners
contend that the president has committed
himself to reform, while some Of the pro-
tectionists regard his views as conservative
enough to suit them. When chairmen
Randall was asked how he liked the mess
age he replied that he was very we'll pleas
ed with it. "What do you think of the
tariff section of it?:' sob, [ am very well
pleased with the message" The leader of
the protectionist democrats repeated.
THAT is the only opinion have to give"
Members of congress always think at the
beginning of a new session that they are
going to do a great deal of work. Each
man hopes to get some action on his psf
project. Those who want to reform the
tariff are particularly eager and energetic.
The strong position taken by the president
on the subject has given them new cour-
age. The members have come back free
and ready to work with no fear of a am
paign before them, and there is every
reasen why so much should be accomplish
ed. A great deal of the long session is al
ways taken up by committee work; now,
this work is done and everything is ready
for legislation.
1t is thought by members of the house
Judiciary committee that the Edmund's
polygamy bill will be passed this winter
in a modified form. The Ed1nund's bill
would confiscate the church's property
as well as disestablish the church, but the
bill as modified by the house committee
will respect the rights of property, while
it will disestablish the Mormon church
and pluck polygamy out by the roots.
1t appears that Capt. Eads and his asso-
ciates have concluded to give up their plea
for government aid, and will undertake to
build fba;r chin oilu,or ,orncg +ha 18th p,,.
with their own money and in their own
way. Thus their company will be indie
pendent, and can look everybody squarely
in the face whether the enterprise sue
ceeds or fails. The many a~nnoyances in
cidental to government supervision of the
work will be avoided and all the money |
made will go into the pockets of the stock
holders.
The senate has shown great g~allantry by
paying its attention first to ladies. The
house settled down to business with the
subject of the electoral count, but the SEN
ate led by Senator Blair of New Hamp-
shire, who advocates Temperance, national
education and eemale suffrage, took the
proposed a TO- .ent to the constitution
extending DON to women. 1t was a
singular fact lat while Mr.. Blair was elo-
quently pleading their cause, not more
than a score of ladies were in the gallery
to smile down gratitude upon his effort.
The senator proposes to ask a vote on
the question at an early day, and whatever
may be the result, women who want to
ao<a.las.a -a.ia.4. e. Ai:.I